Product Bulletin 50
Release D, Effective October 2011 (Replaces Rel C, Oct 09)
See Bulletin Change Summary on last page
Scotchcal™ Graphic Film
Series 50
For Thermal Mass Transfer and Electronic Cutting
1. Product Description
Film series 50 is a 3-mil calendered vinyl film, available in 28 colors. The film has a clear,
pressure-sensitive film with a blue liner on the white films, for easier visibility when weeding,
and a white liner on all other film colors. Use this versatile film in both indoor and outdoor
applications for thermal mass transfer and electronic cutting. It is removable with heat for up
to three years and permanent for up to five years. This 3-mil film may be printed with thermal
mass transfer and electronically cut.
2. Recommended Types of
Graphics and End Uses
The products described in this Bulletin are covered by the 3M Basic Product Warranty. Please
read the entire Bulletin for details.
 Prespaced, electronically-cut graphics
 Thermal mass transfer graphics
 Commercial and industrial signage including emblems, vehicle graphics, labels
and striping
A. Limitations of End Uses
(1) Unsuitable End Uses for This
Product
This 3M product is not designed or recommended for the following uses. Please contact us to
discuss other options.
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Backlit signs
Thermoformed graphics
Graphics with more than two layers of film
Application to riveted, corrugated, compound curved or complex contoured surfaces
Graphics subjected to gasoline vapors or spills
Graphics applied to substrates having coatings such as silicone
3. Compatible Products
 3M™ Panagraphics™ III Wide-Width Flexible Substrate
 3M™ Premasking Tape SCPM-3
 3M™ Prespacing Tape SCPS-2
4. Characteristics
These are typical values for unprocessed product; processing may change the values.
Contact your 3M representative for a custom specification.
A. Physical Characteristics
Characteristic
Value
Material
Colors
Gloss
Thickness
Calendered vinyl
See Color Chart
High gloss (except matte white and matte black)
Without adhesive: 3.0 mil (0.076 mm)
With adhesive: 4.0 to 4.5 mil (0.102 to 0.114 mm)
Pressure-sensitive; removable
Clear
Film colors 50-10, 50-100: Blue kraft paper
All other film colors: White kraft paper
Adhesive type
Adhesive color
Liner
Physical Characteristics, continued
Characteristic
Tensile strength
(minimum)
Value
8 pounds/inch at 72F (1.4 kg/cm at 23C)
Chemical resistance
Resists mild acids, mild alkalis and salts
Excellent resistance to water (does not include immersion)
Adhesion
Acrylic: 4.0 pounds/inch (0.7 kg/cm)
Alodine, aluminum: 5.0 pounds/inch (0.9 kg/cm)
Glass: 3.0 pounds/inch (0.5 kg/cm)
Fruehauf pre-painted panel: 4.0 pounds/inch (0.7 kg/cm)
Polycarbonate: 4.0 pounds/inch (0.7 kg/cm)
About Polycarbonate
substrates
Film series 50 typically adheres to solar-grade polycarbonate
substrate. However, some lots of this substrate may inhibit the
adhesion of the film. Contact 3M Commercial Graphics Technical
Service if you are having difficulty with this combination. See
Instruction Bulletin 5.7 for additional information.
Polycarbonate substrates may require oven drying before use.
Refer to the manufacturers' instructions.
Flammability
B. Color Chart
No.
50-10
50-100
50-11
50-12
50-120
50-24
50-27
50-34
50-44
50-483
50-49
50-54
50-58
50-64
C. Application Characteristics
Call 1-800-328-3908 for information
Color
White
Matte White
Transparent
Black
Matte Black
Lemon Yellow
Sunflower
Bright Orange
Light Red
Dark Red
Burgundy
Gold
Silver
Pink
No.
50-66
50-73
50-745
50-76
50-78
50-79
50-82
50-84
50-88
50-90
50-914
50-92
50-94
50-97
Color
Purple
Grass Green
Bright Green
Medium Green
Dark Green
Teal
Light Blue
Azure Blue
Sapphire Blue
Deep Navy Blue
Beige
Brown
Light Grey
Nimbus Grey
Characteristic
Value
Finished graphic
application
recommendations
Surface type: Flat and simple curved surfaces, without rivets
Substrate type: Flexible signage, glass, metal, acrylic,
polycarbonate*, fiberglass and painted surfaces
Application temperature: 50 to 100F (4 to 38C)
Finished graphic exposure -50 to +150F (-45 to +65C )
temperature
Impact at low temperatures when film is applied to flexible
substrates may result in film or substrate cracking.
Applied film shrinkage
0.004 to 0.023 inch (0.1 to 0.6 mm)
Graphic removal
Removable with heat from most substrates for up to 3 years;
leaves little or no adhesive residue1
1.
The gold and silver colors of film series 50 may leave adhesive residue upon removal.
Product Bulletin 50 - 2
5. Warranty Information
A. Limitations and Disclaimers
Applicable to All Warranties
& Warranty Coverage
Overview
The following is made in lieu of all other express or implied warranties, including any implied
warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or implied warranty arising out
of a course of dealing, custom or usage of trade. 3M will replace or refund the price of any
3M materials that do not meet this warranty within the specified time periods. These reme­
dies are exclusive. In no case shall 3M be liable for any direct, indirect, or consequen­
tial damages, including any labor or non-3M materials charges.
See the 3M Graphics Market Center Warranty Brochure at 3Mgraphics.com, which gives the
terms, additional limitations of the warranty, if any, and limitations of liability.
B. 3M Basic Product Warranty
All 3M products are warranted to be free of defects in materials and manufacture at the time
of shipment and to meet the specifications stated in this Product Bulletin and as further set
forth in the 3M Graphics Market Center Warranty Brochure.
C. Expected Performance Life
(not a warranted durability)
Indoors: up to 5 years in a vertical orientation with typical usage
Outdoors: up to 3 years in a vertical orientation with typical usage
3M Product and Instruction Bulletins provide practical recommendations for using this
product in a way that maximizes performance, but using other 3M products or procedures
with this film does not change the terms of the warranty.
6. Graphics Manufacturing
A. Thermal Mass Transfer
This Bulletin does not contain detailed printing, processing, or application procedures. Refer
to the 3M Related Literature section for further information.
Refer to the instructions provided by the thermal mass transfer system's manufacturer.
For the best results with thermal mass transfer printing, it may be necessary to wipe the gold
and silver colors of film series 50 with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) before printing.
B. Electronic Cutting, Minimum
Heights
Based on cutting and weeding evaluations that used Helvetica medium upper case copy, the
recommended minimum cutting height is 0.375 inches (9.5 mm). Because of the differences
in electronically-controlled cutting equipment and font characteristics, users should determine
their own cutting and weeding capability.
Please refer to Instruction Bulletin 4.1 for detailed cutting information, including important
factors that affect cutting quality and ability.
C. Application Tapes
The type of 3M application tape to use for this film depends on the type of graphic produced.
See Instruction Bulletin 4.3 for details.
 Use prespacing tape SCPS-2 if the film is weeded and much of the liner is exposed and/
or small letters and/or narrow stroke width.
 Use premasking tape SCPM-3 if very little of the liner is exposed and/or large letters and/
or wide stroke width.
7. Application
A. Overlaps
Either a wet or dry application by hand method may be used.
We recommend using an overlap of at least 1/8 inch (3 mm) wherever pieces of film overlap.
8. Shelf Life, Storage and Shipping
B. Shelf Life
Total shelf life: 3 years from the date of manufacture on the original box.
If you do process the film, do so within 2 years and apply within 1 year.
If you do not process the film, apply it within 3 years.
C. Storage Conditions
 40_ to 90_F (4_ to 32_C)
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Out of sunlight
Clean dry area
Original container
Bring the film to print room temperature before using
Product Bulletin 50 - 3
D. Shipping Finished Graphics
Flat (may be separated by paper), or rolled printed side out on 5 inch (13 cm) or larger core.
This helps prevent the liner and, if used, the application tape from popping off.
9. Health and Safety
CAUTION
When handling any chemical products, read the manufacturers' container labels and the
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for important health, safety and environmental inform­
ation. To obtain MSDS sheets for 3M products go to 3M.com/MSDS, or by mail or in case of
an emergency, call 1-800-364-3577 or 1-651-737-6501.
When using any equipment, always follow the manufacturers' instructions for safe operation.
10. 3M Related Literature
Before starting any job, be sure you have the most current Product and Instruction
Bulletins.
The information in 3M Product and Instruction Bulletins is subject to change. Current Bulletins are
available at 3Mgraphics.com. The following applicable Bulletins provide information and processes you
need to properly make the graphics described in this Bulletin. Additional Bulletins may be needed as
indicated in the 3M Related Literature section of other 3M components you use.
Bulletin types: PB = Product Bulletin; PB-IB = Product & Instruction Bulletin; IB = Instruction Bulletin
Subject
Type
Bulletin No.
3Mt Panagraphicst III Wide-Width Flexible Substrate
PB
P3
Design of graphics
IB
2.1
Scoring and cutting
IB
4.1
Using 3M application tapes; premasking and prespacing for films
IB
4.3
Application, substrate selection, preparation and substrate-specific applica­
tion techniques
IB
5.1
Application, wet method for translucent screen printed, thermal mass transfer IB
and cut graphics
5.7
Application, general procedures for indoor and outdoor dry applications
IB
5.5
Storage, handling, maintenance, removal
IB
6.5
3M Graphics Center Warranty Brochure
go to www.3Mgraphics.com, Warranties
3M, Panagraphics and Scotchcal are trademarks of 3M.
11. Bulletin Change Summary
Removed banner material 8450, which is obsolete. Liner color for white films 50-10 and
50-100 is now blue for easier visibility when weeding; your current inventory of these films
with white liner cannot be exchanged for blue liners.
Commercial Graphics
3M Canada
3M México S.A. de C.V.
3M Puerto Rico, Inc.
3M Center, Building 220-12E-04
St. Paul, MN 55144 USA
General 1-800-374-6772
Technical 1-800-328-3908
Fax 1-651-736-4233
PO Box 5757
London, Ontario
Canada N6A 4T1
General 1-800-265-1840
Fax 519-452-6245
Av. Santa Fe No. 55
Col. Santa Fe, Del. Alvaro Obregón
México D.F. 01210
General 5255-5270-0400
Fax 5255-5270-2277
350 Chardon Avenue
Suite 1100
San Juan, PR 00918
General 787-620-3000
Fax 787-620-3018
www.3Mgraphics.com
E3M 2011. All rights reserved.
Product Bulletin 50 - 4